# Nym Node

```admonish note
If you are a `nym-mixnode` or `nym-gateway` operator and you are not familiar with the binary changes called *Project Smoosh*, you can read the archived [Smoosh FAQ](../archive/faq/smoosh-faq.md) page.
```

NYM NODE is a tool for running a node within the Nym network. Nym Nodes containing functionality such as `mixnode`, `entry-gateway` and `exit-gateway` are fundamental components of Nym Mixnet architecture. Nym Nodes are ran by decentralised node operators.

To setup any type of Nym Node, start with either building [Nym's platform](../binaries/building-nym.md) from source or download [pre-compiled binaries](../binaries/pre-built-binaries.md) on the [configured server (VPS)](vps-setup.md) where you want to run the node. Nym Node will need to be bond to [Nym's wallet](wallet-preparation.md). Follow [preliminary steps](preliminary-steps.md) page before you initialise and run a node.

```admonish info
**Migrating an existing node to a new `nym-node` is simple. The steps are documented on the [next page](setup.md#migrate)**
```

## Steps for Nym Node Operators

Once VPS and Nym wallet are configured, binaries ready, the operators of `nym-node` need to:

1. **[Setup & Run](setup.md) the node**

2. **[Configure](configuration.md) the node** (and optionally WSS, reversed proxy, automation)

3. **[Bond](bonding.md) the node to the Nym API, using Nym wallet**

## Quick `nym-node --mode exit-gateway` Setup

During the testing events series [Fast and Furious](https://nymtech.net/events/fast-and-furious) we found out, that after introducing IP Packet Router and [Nym exit policy](https://nymtech.net/.wellknown/network-requester/exit-policy.txt) as default features,  only a fragment of Exit Gateways routes correctly through IPv4 and IPv6. We built a useful monitor to check out your Gateway (`nym-node --mode exit-gateway`) at [harbourmaster.nymtech.net](https://harbourmaster.nymtech.net/).

Below is a fast - ten commands - deployment for seasoned operators to migrate and setup the node, configure networking and connectivity and verify that it all works as it should by getting two free jokes through the Mixnet.

```admonish caution
If you are not well familiar with `nym-node` setup, automation, and `nymtun0` configuration, follow the [steps above](#steps-for-nym-node-operators) page by page. You can use this flow as a reference later on.
```

1. [Get](../binaries/pre-built-binaries.md) or [build](../binaries/building-nym.md) the latest `nym-node` binary

2. Get [network_tunnel_manager.sh](https://gist.github.com/tommyv1987/ccf6ca00ffb3d7e13192edda61bb2a77) script and grant permissions
```sh
curl -o network_tunnel_manager.sh -L https://gist.githubusercontent.com/tommyv1987/ccf6ca00ffb3d7e13192edda61bb2a77/raw/9d785d6ee3aa2970553633eccbd89a827f49fab5/network_tunnel_manager.sh && chmod +x network_tunnel_manager.sh
```

3. If you have a running `nym-node` or `nym-gateway` (alone or service), stop the process
  - In case your node was a `nym-gateway`, [**migrate to `nym-node`**](setup.md#migrate) now!

4. Check Nymtun IP tables:
```sh
sudo ./network_tunnel_manager.sh check_nymtun_iptables
```
 - if there's no process running it shouldn't get anything

5. Display IPv6:
```sh
sudo ./network_tunnel_manager.sh fetch_and_display_ipv6
```
 - If you have a `global ipv6` address this is good, if not the next step should fix it
~~~admonish example collapsible=true title="Correct `./network_tunnel_manager.sh fetch_and_display_ipv6` output:"
```sh
iptables-persistent is already installed.
Using IPv6 address: 2001:db8:a160::1/112 #the address will be different for you
operation fetch_ipv6_address_nym_tun completed successfully.
```
~~~

6. Apply the rules:
```sh
sudo ./network_tunnel_manager.sh apply_iptables_rules
```
  - and check them again like in point 4.

7. (If you didn't have a `nym-node` service yet) Create `systemd` [automation and configuration file](configuration.md#systemd), reload and enable the service

8. Start `nym-node` service:
```sh
sudo service nym-node start && journalctl -u nym-node -f -n 100
```
  - If you don't run this as an upgrade but started a fresh new node, you need to [bond](bonding.md) the gateway now. After that finish the verification steps below.

9. After a minute of running properly, check `nymtun0`:
```sh
ip addr show nymtun0
```

~~~admonish example collapsible=true title="Correct `ip addr show nymtun0` output:"
```sh
# your addresses will be different
8: nymtun0: <POINTOPOINT,MULTICAST,NOARP,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1420 qdisc fq_codel state UNKNOWN group default qlen 500
    link/none
    inet 10.0.0.1/16 scope global nymtun0
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
    inet6 2001:db8:a160::1/112 scope global
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
    inet6 fe80::ad08:d167:5700:8c7c/64 scope link stable-privacy
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever`
```
~~~

10. Validate your IPv6 and IPv4 networking by running a joke via Mixnet:
```sh
sudo ./network_tunnel_manager.sh joke_through_the_mixnet
```

Make sure that you get the validation of IPv4 and IPv6 connectivity, in case of problems, check [troubleshooting page](../troubleshooting/vps-isp.md#incorrect-gateway-network-check). After proceed to [bonding](bonding.md).